Atlanta’s First Mobile Shelter – Mobile Stay

Earlier this year, we started using creative housing to get people experiencing homelessness off the streets.

We’ve learned a lot about how hard it is to find a place to stay if you miss the cut-off time for a shelter. Therefore, we started telling this story about excess. In this country, we have so much excess, but we have yet to tap into this excess to solve “real time” problems.

A few months back, a generous family reached out to us and donated this brand new RV (equipped with a shower, a restroom, and living space).

They took their excess and said, “We want to see it help people…”

Therefore, we’ve decided to launch Atlanta’s first Mobile Shelter. It’s called Mobile Stay, and we are less than a month away from giving stays to those who have no safety net.

To give to our mission, visit lovebeyondwalls.org/give

C.R. Snippet – Voiceless

Have you ever felt unheard?
Have you ever felt unseen?
Have you ever felt voiceless?

Every single day, millions of people experiencing homelessness and poverty like C.R. feel like their stories don’t matter.

On August 25, 2017, Love Beyond Walls will partner with The Center for Civil and Human Rights​ to screen our first feature length film “Voiceless” to give a voice to the voiceless.

Why? Because they matter and so do their stories!

To learn more, visit lovebeyondwalls.org/voicelessfilm

C.R. Snippet – Voiceless from Love Beyond Walls on Vimeo.

#voicelessfilm #lovebeyondwalls

LBW Team

Editor [Johnny Taylor] – Voiceless

After taking a journey through five states, we were able to learn more about how poverty affects people across the U.S.

In this short video, Johnny Taylor gives insight as to who this film is for and who will relate after watching the footage.

Johnny serves as one of the editors of the “Voiceless” film. To learn more, visit lovebeyondwalls.org/voicelessfilm

Editor [Johnny Taylor] – Voiceless from Love Beyond Walls on Vimeo.

LBW Team

SIX DAYS WITH SHELTER

SIX DAYS WITH SHELTER: It’s been six days since Ronald stopped sleeping on the ground and started living in this small house our organization built and he’s already talking differently.

He says, “Now I feel like I have to accomplish some things like getting my ID, social security card and birth certificate. I also want to see if I can reconnect with some of my family back home if I can find anyone.”

Although he has not fully transitioned out of homelessness, having a solid support system has started to build his confidence that it’s possible to start again. He says, “Being warm has given me the space to think…”

Wow. “Being warm….”

Think about it, when life happens who can you call? Maybe a mother, close friend, dad, mentor, etc.

Well, when you’re experiencing homelessness there is a social isolation and depletion of all social equity that strips your strength from community.

That’s why we urge people who make generalizations about the homeless to NOTICE THEM. Noticing someone might give someone the courage they need to keep fighting.

Over the next two weeks, we are going to help him achieve some of his goals.

If you’d like to contribute basic necessities (such as food, bus cards, etc.) until we get him back home safe and sound reach out. 

Terence

HE HAS SHELTER

HE HAS SHELTER: Today, Johnny and I made our way downtown to engage people experiencing homelessness and to see how we could serve them in this cold weather.

Little did we know we’d meet Ronald and spend hours with him. Ronald has only been homeless for a month after serving 31 years in prison.

We sat and talked as Ronald poured out his heart about how much he missed his family and how he’d have to find somewhere to sleep tonight (maybe behind buildings).

He shivered as he told us more of his life’s story. He shared how he had no friends or family left because they all passed away while he was in prison. He even shed tears about making wrong choices as a twenty year old, and confessed his heart to get it right like “mamma said…”

After talking, we took him to @lovebeyondwalls and surprised him with this mini shelter. His eyes watered up as he kept saying over and over, “tonight I can finally rest without having to wake up and watch my surroundings.” Did we end his homelessness? No.

Did we become his friend? Yes. We ensured he had place to stay that’s warm until our organization can develop next steps for him. He kept saying, “I have a house now…”

With all that’s going on in the world, I thank God for allowing us to meet another friend who needed a friend. Tonight we provided shelter for one. Who knows in the future it may be many!
Terence

Happy New Year 2017

We just wanted to take time to say thank you for supporting our work in 2016. This year alone, we reached millions of people digitally through our awareness campaign and resourced thousands of people with hope, connections, and basic need items locally and nationally.

We couldn’t have done any of this without your help and support!

Guess what else? We’ve started the editing process for our documentary film, and will give you updates as we progress this coming January.

We just wanted to say thank you and Happy New Year! 

If you’d like to make a year end contribution, support our work [HERE].

LBW Team

 

 

Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta & Pathways Magazine – A Movement of Doers!

“Love is a powerful force,” Terence explains. “God is love, and we are on a mission to take that love into places where there is darkness and hopelessness, despondency and all those different things keeping people in the cycle of being oppressed.”

Check out the story of those we help on @episcopalatl’s website to read our story! Or, simply click the picture below.15267660_1211007605603069_6122602230087936408_n

LBW Team